In 2013, 42% of middle-class Americans said that it was impossible
for them to pay their bills and still save for retirement, according to a Wells
Fargo study. But even if you can’t get anywhere near the annual 401(k)
contribution limit of $17,500, try to put aside as much money as you can, says
Ken Stanley, a NerdWallet advisor from Harper Stanley Financial Services.

“If you have the opportunity to contribute to a 401(k), especially
if your employer is matching the contribution, please don’t leave any money on
the table,” he says.

Jonathan DeYoe, NerdWallet advisor and principal at DeYoe Wealth
Management, adds that it’s important to re-evaluate spending at the end of the
year and see if you can afford to contribute more.

About 28% of shoppers say they prefer doing holiday shopping
online rather than in a store to avoid crowds, according to a 2013 study by
global information firm Accenture. If you’re planning to skip the long lines
this month, do your best to keep your online information safe.

Avoid looking at your online bank profile or making online
purchases on public Wi-Fi. If you have lots of weak or duplicate passwords, now
is a good time to change those. Monitor your credit card statements closely and
report fraudulent transactions as soon as possible.

3. Give to charity – the smart
way.

If you have some excess income at the end of the year and you want
to give back, donating before Dec. 31 can help you benefit from tax incentives.

When donating, make sure your money is going to a worthy cause.
Two-thirds of Americans don’t research the organizations they contribute to,
according to a 2011 study by Hope Consulting. Check the Better Business
Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance to find out more about where your money is going.

4. Start thinking about taxes.

Don’t wait until April to start thinking about taxes. For new
parents or recently married couples, filing a W-4 before the holiday season
could mean less tax withheld from each paycheck. That could make a big
difference during the holidays, says Harry Krampf, a NerdWallet advisor and a
tax expert at TaxVigilante.net.

“It’s one of those things that people have direct control over,”
he says.

If you’ve seen some big changes this year, ask your employer about
filling out a W-4.

5. Accidents can happen at any
time – get covered.

If you don’t have health insurance through your employer, now’s
the time to enroll in coverage through the Affordable Care Act. Enroll by Dec.
15 for coverage that begins Jan. 1, 2015. If you choose to forgo health
insurance this year, remember that you’ll have to pay a penalty, and in 2015,
that will be more costly.

What’s important

Getting your financial life in order can be stressful, but once
you’re done, you’ll be able to focus on what really matters. That makes all the
budgeting, planning and investment worth it.

“It’s really about family coming together,” DeYoe says. “It’s
about thankfulness, gratitude and really appreciating what we have.”